Semi Skilled Maintenance & Drainage Operative

We’re a values-driven, charitable organisation on a mission to make a real difference in Sunderland. Every day, we provide more than 60,000 people with a place they’re proud to call home.

Our vision is clear: everyone deserves a good-quality home they can afford. We invest millions of pounds each year to keep our homes safe and decent, while also playing a part in tackling the UK housing crisis by building hundreds of modern, energy-efficient homes for rent right here in Sunderland.

If you share our passion for creating thriving communities and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love for you to join us and help achieve our vision.

If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.

We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a large number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

£31,924.00

At Gentoo, maintaining good-quality homes for our customers is at the heart of what we do.

We’re looking for an experienced Semi-Skilled Drainage Operative to carry out planned and responsive drainage inspections, maintenance and repairs across our homes.

You’ll play an important role in responding quickly and effectively to repair needs, bringing a flexible, reliable and safety-focused approach while delivering a great service for our customers.

Enjoy a 36-hour working week, Monday to Friday, with an early finish on a Friday, giving you more time for the things that matter. We’re also proud to be Great Place to Work® certified and one of the UK’s Top 50 Best Workplaces™ 2026.

A full UK driving licence is required. A basic DBS check will be arranged and funded by Gentoo.

What you will be doing:

Carry out planned and responsive drainage inspections, maintenance and repairs across our homes, including working with untreated sewage where required.

Inspect, clear, repair and replace gullies, manholes, waste pipes and underground drainage systems.

Use high-pressure jetting and CCTV equipment to clear drainage systems and identify faults.

Carry out excavation, soakaway and field drainage works, alongside minor paving, flagging and general building repairs.

Carry out graffiti removal and high-pressure cleaning where required.

Complete work safely, efficiently and to the required technical and quality standards.

Work closely with colleagues and other trades, keeping them updated on the progress of work.

Use handheld IT systems to update jobs and maintain accurate records.

Deliver a great service to our customers when working in and around their homes.

Maintain your assigned vehicle and complete required daily vehicle checks.

Take part in Gentoo’s Emergency Out-of-Hours Service on a rota basis as required.

What you will need:

Experience of laying, maintaining and repairing storm and foul drainage systems.

Experience of safe excavation, including hand and mechanical digging and the use of appropriate trench support.

Experience of locating and avoiding underground services.

Experience using high-pressure jetting equipment and small plant, including Stihl saws and lift pumps.

Experience of towing drainage equipment trailers.

Experience carrying out minor building repairs across different trades.

Experience of providing great customer service while working in customers’ homes.

Knowledge of drainage repairs and replacement works and relevant health and safety requirements.

Effective communication and customer care skills.

The ability to work safely at height and in external environments.

It would be great if you also had, however not essential:

Experience of using drainage CCTV equipment to identify and diagnose faults.

Some of our great benefits include:

• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with an option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year.

• Early finish on Fridays

• Flexible and hybrid working.

• Free Health Cash Plan, with cashback for dental, optical, physio, wellbeing therapies and more, with some free child cover.

• Access to private healthcare through the Health Cash Plan.

• Competitive Aviva pension scheme - Gentoo will contribute up to 10% based on your personal contribution.

• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme

• Enhanced family-friendly leave

• Car mileage allowance if you use your personal vehicle for business purposes.

• Life assurance cover to the value of 3 times your annual salary

Working for Gentoo

We are one of the largest employers in Sunderland and a leading provider of social housing in the North East. We are officially a Great Place to Work and employ more than 1,100 people in more than 200 different job roles.

We are proud of every colleague who helps make a difference in our communities and our customers’ lives

Our Values, made by colleagues for colleagues.

We care about people.

We take accountability.

We shape the future.

We bring leadership.

We deliver.

If you have any accessibility needs or require adjustments, please let us know—we’re here to support you.